Pulled out some stale bread from pantry. My mother-in-law says it’s wasteful not to use it, but it looks bad to me. What should I do?

Blend stale bread into fine crumbs, toast lightly, and store in a jar.
Use them to coat chicken, top casseroles, or add crunch to pasta.

5. Panzanella Salad

Toss bread chunks with juicy tomatoes, cucumbers, red onions, and vinaigrette.
The bread soaks up the flavors while still giving bite.

🧡 Why Your Mother-in-Law Might Be Right

Old-school wisdom often stems from necessity. In generations past, wasting food wasn’t an option — and stale bread was just the beginning of another meal.

Today, with grocery prices rising and food waste being a major issue, making the most of what you have isn’t just thrifty — it’s smart.

⚠️ When You Should Let Go

If the bread is moldy, wet, or smells sour, toss it.

If it’s been sitting for weeks and you can’t verify how old it is, it’s better to be safe.

Don’t try to “save” moldy bread by cutting off the bad spots — mold roots can go deeper than you see.

✅ Final Thoughts: Waste Not, Worry Not

If your stale bread is just dry and crumbly, your mother-in-law is onto something — you’re sitting on the base of a delicious recipe. But if it looks or smells suspicious, you’re not being wasteful — you’re being wise.

Next time you find a loaf that’s past its prime, don’t toss it without a second thought. Take a moment, check it over, and ask yourself:
Is this trash — or tomorrow’s treasure?